McLardy McShane has reported that its 2025 Group Conference generated more than $400,000 in donations for community programs and charitable organisations.
The event, held at the Fairmont Resort in the Blue Mountains, brought together over 450 participants from across the insurance sector – including staff, joint venture partners, authorised representatives (ARs), insurers and underwriters.
At the conference dinner, attendees collectively pledged more than $200,000, which was then matched by the group.
The contributions will go to a mix of individual families and established charities.
The firm has released details of how the funds will be distributed.
The largest allocations are $100,000 each to the family of staff member Oli Cenedese and to CureEB and Tilly Wilkes.
The family of Craig Matters, another team member who passed away, will receive $50,000.
Additional contributions include $50,000 for the Reach Foundation, $25,000 for the Love Your Sister Foundation, $15,000 each to the Soar Foundation Ireland and Women for Women in Africa, and $10,000 each to the Danny Frawley Centre and the Black Dog Institute.
A remaining $25,000 will be set aside for further initiatives over the coming year.
Executive chairman Don McLardy said the theme of the event, “Growing with Tradition,” reflected the company’s ongoing development while maintaining its established culture.
“Our company is still growing, and great industry people that are attracted to the McLardy McShane traditions of inclusive and personal culture are joining us all the time,” he said. “We are very proud of the unique organisation what we have built.”
He said the pledges made during the conference demonstrated the collective strength of the firm’s network, supported by its sponsors and industry colleagues.
“In all, it was a very memorable experience for everyone involved,” McLardy said.
The conference also marked a significant leadership update.
McLardy McShane announced that it will now operate with two chief executives across its core businesses.
Meg Long has been appointed CEO of McLardy McShane Partners (MMP), while Nick McLardy has taken the role of CEO of McLardy McShane Insurance Advisors (MMIA).
Outgoing CEO Don McLardy and co-founder Mike McShane have moved into executive board positions.
The appointments follow a period of expansion for the broker. Over the past 12 months, more than 45 ARs and seven joint venture branches have joined the network, lifting its total number of ARs to more than 150.
Don McLardy said the leadership changes were aimed at positioning the business for further growth while maintaining continuity through the transition.
“These two young professional leaders have helped us build a great company which is poised to have an even bigger industry presence in future years,” he said.
